Transcription
Praise God, my friends. I'm so glad to have you with me today. You've tuned in for something that can change your life, something that can take your faith to a whole new level. I don't care what you've been through, what challenges you're facing, or how big your mountain seems. I'm here to tell you today that God's word is your solid foundation. And if you'll stand on it, nothing, absolutely nothing, will move you.
Now, let me ask you a question. What are you standing on today? Are you standing on your feelings? Are you standing on what the doctors say or what the world says? Are you standing on your own thoughts, your own reasoning? I tell you, if you're standing on anything but the word of God, then you're on sinking sand.
Jesus told us very clearly in Matthew 7:24-25. "Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock." That rock is Jesus, and that rock is the word of God. You can't build your house on shifting sand, my friends, and expect to stand when the storms of life come. You must build on the solid foundation of God's unchanging word. His word is what gives us stability when the world around us shakes. It's what gives us strength when we feel weak. It's what gives us victory when defeat tries to stare us down.
Now, let me share something with you that I experienced personally. There was a time many years ago when I was facing a situation that seemed impossible. The enemy came against me in every way. And let me tell you friends, when the devil comes, he doesn't come quietly. He comes with lies, with doubts, with fear, with every kind of attack on your mind, your body, your peace. But I did something that changed everything. I took my Bible. Yes, my Bible, the written word of God, and I literally stood on it. That's right. I stood on the word of God as if to say, "This is my foundation. This is where my feet will be planted, and I will not be moved by what I see, hear, or feel." And guess what? God came through for me. I'm standing here today still preaching his word, still standing on the promises he gave me.
I'm telling you today, you can stand on the word of God. You must stand on the word of God. When you stand on his word, you're not standing on a shifting, uncertain ground. No, you're standing on a rock that can never be shaken. And when you stand on that rock, you stand in the authority of the one who said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18. And that same power is available to you.
Friends, I want to help you discover that same power today. If you'll listen and apply what I'm sharing with you, you'll begin to see your faith grow like never before. You'll begin to see the power of God moving in your life in ways you never imagined. So, get ready. Get your Bible, open it up, and let's dive into the word of God together. Let's discover how you can stand on the word literally and watch God bring your victory to pass.
Now friends, let's dive into the first key truth I want you to understand today. The foundation of your faith. You see, faith is not a wish. It's not a feeling. And it's certainly not something that just comes and goes. No, faith is a substance. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. But where does that substance come from? It comes from the word of God. I want you to understand something today and it is vital. Faith is based on God's word, not on your feelings or circumstances. And when you build your faith on the word of God, that's when you're building on a rock that will never move.
Now, let's go to a key verse. Mark 11:23-24. Jesus said, "For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith." Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when you pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Did you catch that? "Whosoever shall say," notice it doesn't say "whosoever shall wish" or "whosoever shall hope." It says "whosoever shall say." And when you say, you have to believe that what you say will come to pass. This isn't just a nice idea, friends. This is God's word in action. It's a promise that will never fail, and it's for you today just as much as it was when Jesus first spoke it.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. Now, we've all heard that verse many times, but let me break it down for you. You're not just hearing with your physical ears. You're hearing with your heart. And that's where the substance of faith is birthed in your spirit, where the word of God is planted. And when you plant the word in your heart, that word will take root and grow, and it will produce fruit. But the key is you have to hear the word. So many times we try to believe for things that are outside of the word. We try to stand on something we think might work. But the moment you step outside of what God has said, you're stepping into presumption. You see, it's not just about wanting something or wishing it. It's about standing on the solid word of God. And when you find the scripture that covers your need, you have a solid foundation for faith.
Friends, let me tell you something I've learned over the years. The word of God is the only sure foundation for your faith. It's unchanging. It's powerful. And it's the key to everything you need in this life. That's why Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25 that the wise man builds his house upon the rock, the word of God. I've seen this work in my life time and time again. When I stand on God's word, it's like putting down stakes in the ground. The devil can blow. The storms can come. But I will not be moved because I'm standing on the word. And when you stand on the word, the devil cannot touch you. The devil has no power over the word of God. And if he can't move the word, then he can't move you.
You know, I had a situation years ago when I was dealing with a serious health challenge. I couldn't go by what I felt because if I did, I'd be defeated. The doctor said one thing, the symptoms said another. But I chose to stand on the word of God. I took those healing scriptures and I put them in my mouth. I began to declare, "By his stripes, I am healed." 1 Peter 2:24. I didn't feel any different at first, but I kept speaking it. I kept declaring it. And eventually, I began to feel the power of God rise up in me. My body responded to the word because the word of God is life to those who find it and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:22. But here's the key, friends. I didn't just believe it in my head. I believed in my heart. That's where the change happened.
Now friends, we've talked about the foundation of faith, the word of God. But now, let's dive into the next vital truth, the power of speaking God's word. You see, faith is not just something you hold in your heart. No, faith must speak. You've got to open your mouth and declare what you believe. Jesus didn't just believe in his heart. He spoke to the mountain. And that's exactly what you got to do. Speak to your mountain. Mark 11:23.
Let me remind you what Jesus said again. "For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith." Now, I want you to see something in that verse. Jesus didn't say, "Whosoever shall think to the mountain" or "whosoever shall hope to the mountain." No, he said, "whosoever shall say to the mountain." You've got to open your mouth and say it, just like God said in Genesis 1, "Let there be light," and there was light. God spoke it into being, and so must you.
Let me tell you something, friends. Faith is voice activated. It's not enough to believe in your heart. You got to speak it out. That's why Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Do you see that? Life and death are in the power of your tongue. And if you're sitting there today believing God for healing, or believing for a breakthrough in your finances, or believing for a restoration in your family, but you're not saying anything about it, you're not speaking the word, you're missing a critical element. You've got to speak what you believe.
Friends, this is how the word works. The moment you open your mouth and begin to declare what God has said about you, you are releasing his power into your situation. You're activating faith. You're not just talking about your problem. You're talking to your problem. You're commanding it to go, and it must obey because the word of God is powerful.
Now, some people have a problem with this. They say, "Well, I don't feel anything when I speak it. I don't see any changes yet." And I'll tell you, friends, this is where many people miss it. Your faith is not dependent on what you see. Your faith is not based on what you feel. Your faith is based on what God said. And if God said it, that settles it.
Look with me at Romans 10:9-10. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Did you notice that confession is made unto salvation? Not just in the heart, but with the mouth. You can't be saved without confessing Jesus as Lord. You can't receive healing, provision, or deliverance without saying it. You must speak it out.
I want you to get this truth today. Faith speaks. Let me give you a quick example from my own life. There was a time when I was standing for healing and I had a major struggle in my body. The pain was real. The symptoms were undeniable. But I kept confessing, "By his stripes, I am healed." 1 Peter 2:24. And you know what happened? That word I spoke started to work. I didn't feel anything at first, but I kept saying it day after day, night after night. And uh, I'll tell you friends, one day I woke up and the pain was gone. I was healed because I stood on the word and I spoke it.
Now listen to me. This isn't just some spiritual exercise. I'm telling you, the word works. When you speak it out loud, it begins to change things. It changes your heart, your thoughts, and your circumstances. It aligns the natural with the supernatural. When you speak God's word, heaven responds. Jesus demonstrated this in Mark 11:12-14 when he cursed the fig tree. He said, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever." He didn't hope the tree would dry up. He didn't wish it would happen. He spoke it. And the next day, the disciples saw that it was withered up from the roots. Why? Because words have power. God's word has power. And when you speak God's word, the supernatural power of God is at work.
Now, friends, we've established the foundation of faith and the power of speaking God's word. But there's something else that I want to emphasize today, and it's this: the importance of standing on the word. You see, speaking the word is one thing, but standing on it, standing firm on what God has said is what guarantees you victory. Let me tell you something, my friends. The battle for your faith is won when you choose to stand and stand on God's word.
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul wrote, uh, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Notice that he says, "Stand" three times in that passage. Why? Because the Christian life is about standing, not moving, not backing down, but standing firm on what God has said. And let me tell you, the devil will do everything in his power to get you to move off that word. He'll send circumstances. He'll send people, and he'll send thoughts to try to move you. But if you stand on the word, you will not be moved.
Now, let's talk about what it means to stand on the word. It means first and foremost, you make the decision to not quit. No matter what it looks like, no matter what it feels like, no matter how long it takes. When God gives you a promise, that promise is as sure as the sun rising tomorrow. It will come to pass. There was a time in my life when I was standing for healing. The symptoms in my body were real. So real, in fact, that the doctors gave me no hope. But I took God's word, specifically Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24, and I stood on them. Now the pain didn't immediately leave, but I wasn't moved by what I felt. I wasn't moved by the reports. I stood on the word of God and I kept speaking it. I kept saying, "By his stripes I am healed." And let me tell you friends, there came a moment when I felt the power of God rise up within me. The pain left, and I was healed because I didn't give up. I didn't quit. I stood firm on the word and I saw the manifestation of God's promise.
Standing is an act of faith. It's saying, "No matter what the enemy throws at me, no matter how loud the voices of doubt or fear speak, I will not be moved. I stand on the unshakable, immovable word of God." In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." This is where many believers miss it. They think, "Well, I prayed. I confessed, but nothing happened." But you see, that's where you've got to stand. I said, "That's where you've got to stand." When you stand, you're saying, "I believe God, and no matter how long it takes, I know that God is faithful to his word. His promises are true, and I will see them come to pass in my life." You see, standing doesn't mean doing nothing. Standing means you continue to confess the word. You continue to declare your victory. You continue to walk in the light of God's word. You don't let circumstances move you off your faith. You keep declaring, "It is written."
I remember a time when I had a brother in the Lord who came to me, and he was facing a financial situation. He had bills piling up, and he didn't know how he was going to make it. He asked me, "Brother Hagen, what should I do?" And I said, "I'll tell you what to do. Get your Bible, find the scriptures that promise you provision, and stand on them. Speak those scriptures out loud every day, all day long, until they manifest." A few weeks later, he came back to me with a huge smile on his face. "Brother Hagen, you were right. The bills are paid. I'm blessed, and I'm standing on the word." That's how it works, my friends. When you stand on the word, you stand in faith. And the moment you stand, you align yourself with God's will. And when you stand, God moves.
Friends, I'm telling you today, whatever you're facing, stand on the word. If it's healing you need, stand on those healing scriptures. If it's provision, stand on those promises. If it's deliverance, stand on the promises of freedom. But don't stand on your own thoughts, on your own wisdom, or on the circumstances of the world. Stand on God's word and his word alone. The word of God is your victory. It is the weapon that will always win the battle. And when you stand on it, you can be assured that the victory is already yours.
Now friends, we've talked about building on the foundation of God's word, speaking that word with authority, and standing firm in the face of opposition. But I want to bring your attention to something that is absolutely vital for the success of your faith: the role of your heart in faith. You see, faith comes from the heart, not just the head. It's not about mental assent, agreeing with God in your mind, but about a deep heart conviction that God's word is true and that you have a right to walk in it.
In Romans 10:9-10, Paul says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Did you catch that? "With the heart man believeth, and with the mouth confession is made." That's the secret to faith, my friends. Heart faith. Not just believing with your head, but believing with your heart. You see, your heart is the soil where God's word takes root and where it begins to grow, produce fruit, and bring forth results.
Now, let me tell you, you can't operate in the kind of faith that moves mountains if it's only a mental belief. It's got to go deeper. It's got to get down into your spirit where the real power of God is. You can memorize all the scriptures in the world, but until that word gets down into your heart, it's not going to work.
In Proverbs 4:20-22, God's word says, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." Notice that it says, "Keep them in the midst of thine heart." That's where the word has to dwell, deep inside you, in your spirit. The word can't just be on the surface, floating around in your thoughts. It has to be deep inside you, buried in your heart where it produces results. And when you keep the word in your heart, it becomes life to you. It becomes health to your body. That's the kind of power I'm talking about, my friends.
Let me share a personal experience to illustrate this. Many years ago, when I was facing a battle in my own body, I didn't just recite healing scriptures from my head. I meditated on them day and night. I let those scriptures sink deep into my heart. I spent time with God's word, letting it saturate my spirit. I would speak those scriptures out loud over and over again until I could feel the healing power of God rise up on the inside of me. And you know what happened? As I kept the word in my heart, my body began to respond. I began to feel strength return. I stood on the word and I believed with my heart that I was healed long before the symptoms changed. But once I believed it in my heart, my healing began to manifest.
Friends, this is where many people miss it. They try to believe with their head, but they don't let the word take root in their heart. They say, "I'm going to believe God," but they're still holding on to doubt, to fear, to the circumstances. But the moment you let go of the doubt and trust the word in your heart, that's when the power begins to work. That's when you begin to see things change.
Jesus said in Mark 4:24, "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given." What are you hearing, friends? You got to guard your heart. You've got to protect what goes in, because what goes in is what will come out. If you're filling your heart with God's word, then your mouth will speak God's word. But if you're filling your heart with fear, doubt, and unbelief, then that's what'll come out of your mouth.
Let me encourage you today. Get God's word in your heart and don't just memorize it, meditate on it, chew on it, speak it out loud until it becomes part of you. You'll know it's working when it becomes automatic for you to say, "By his stripes, I am healed," or "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Those words should flow out of your mouth as naturally as breathing. And when that happens, when God's word takes root in your heart, you will start seeing change. You'll start seeing your circumstances line up with what God said. You'll start walking in victory because you believe in your heart that God's word is true.
Now friends, we've talked about the foundation of faith, speaking the word, standing firm, and the power of faith in your heart. But I want to shift gears a little bit now, because there's something you need to understand that will determine whether or not you walk in victory every single day: recognizing the enemy and holding your ground. You see, we are in a spiritual battle. And whether we like it or not, we have an enemy who is actively working against us. That's why it's so important to recognize the enemy when he shows up.
Now, I don't want you to get scared, because we've been given authority over the enemy. But you must recognize who the enemy is and where he's trying to attack. Let's go to Ephesians 6:10-13. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand."
Now, notice the first thing Paul says: "we wrestle not against flesh and blood." That means your problem is not with people. The issue is not with the person who's coming against you, the boss who's giving you trouble, or the family member who doesn't understand. The problem is spiritual. It's the enemy working behind the scenes trying to steal, kill, and destroy. The moment you realize that your battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces, you'll begin to fight the right way. The enemy wants to distract you. He wants to get your attention on the wrong things. He wants to get you upset with people, frustrated with circumstances, and off course. But when you recognize that it's a spiritual attack, you can stand your ground and fight the right fight.
So, what do we do when the enemy comes? Well, Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13, "Having done all to stand, stand therefore." You stand your ground. You don't run. You don't back down. You don't cave in. You stand. And when you stand, you stand with the full armor of God: the word of God in your mouth, righteousness in your heart, peace in your steps, and faith as your shield. Eph 6:14-17.
I remember a time in my own life when the enemy came against me in a big way. The pressure was overwhelming, and I felt like I was on the verge of defeat. But I knew what to do. I went back to the word. I reminded myself of the promises of God. I started speaking those promises out loud. "No weapon formed against me shall prosper." Isaiah 54:17. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1. And let me tell you, as soon as I did that, the enemy's attacks lost their power. Why? Because I was standing on the word. I was holding my ground. I was standing firm on the promises of God, and the enemy had to flee. When you stand your ground, the devil cannot win.
Now, I want you to understand something very important. The devil is a deceiver. He will try to get you to believe things that are not true. He will use fear, doubt, and negative circumstances to make you think that you are defeated. But we know the truth. We know that the battle is the Lord's, and he has already given us the victory. 1 John 5:4. In fact, I'll tell you something. When you stand on the word, refuse to move, the devil will eventually give up. He may try to push you. He may try to wear you down. But when he sees you're not moving from your position of victory, he knows he's lost. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." You see, the devil cannot stand when you stand firm in the word of God. He has no power over you when you resist him in the name of Jesus. But let me tell you this, too. You have to make the decision to resist. You have to make the decision to stand your ground. And when you do, I promise you, the victory is already yours.
Friends, when you recognize that the enemy is working against you, it's time to take action. Don't just sit back and let him steal from you. Don't let him steal your health, your peace, your joy, or your finances. You got to stand up in the authority that God has given you and resist him. And when you resist, he has no choice but to flee. Remember, God didn't give us the armor of God to be passive. He didn't give us the sword of the Spirit just to admire it. No, he gave it to us so that we could stand, fight, and win. And that's exactly what we're going to do.
Now, friends, we've learned how to stand firm on the word of God and resist the enemy. But there's another important truth that I want to share with you today: the importance of speaking with confidence. You see, faith is not passive. Faith is active. It speaks, and it speaks with confidence because it knows that the word of God is true and that the promises of God are "yea and amen" in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:20. When you speak, you're not speaking out of hope or wishful thinking. You're speaking with absolute confidence in the integrity of God's word.
I want to emphasize something today. When you speak, don't speak with uncertainty. Don't speak with hesitation. Don't say, "Well, I hope this works." No. Speak as if God himself is right there with you. Because he is. Jesus said in John 14:13-14, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Now, friends, that's a promise you can stand on. That's a guarantee from Jesus himself. When you ask in his name, he will do it. But here's the key: you got to ask in faith, believing without a shadow of doubt.
Let me tell you something, my friends. Confidence is the key to effective prayer and confession. If you don't believe that God is going to answer your prayer, you're not going to receive anything. James 1:6 says, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." Now, I know some of you might be sitting there and thinking, "But Brother Hagen, what if I don't feel confident?" And I want to tell you something very important today. Confidence in God's word is not based on your feelings. It's based on your faith and what God has said. Listen, I've had times in my life when I didn't feel confident in my own ability. There were times when I felt weak in my body or uncertain in my mind, but I wasn't placing my confidence in myself. I was placing my confidence in God's word. And I know this: God's word never fails. When I speak the word with faith, I speak with confidence because I know that God is faithful to do what he said he would do.
In fact, I want to encourage you right now to begin speaking God's word with confidence. When you declare his promises over your life, don't say, "Well, maybe God will heal me." Don't say, "I hope he provides for me." No. Say, "I am healed by the stripes of Jesus." 1 Peter 2:24. Say, "God will supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19. You got to speak with the same confidence that Jesus had when he spoke to the fig tree. When he said, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever." Mark 11:14. He spoke it with absolute confidence that the tree would die. And it did.
Now, I know that many of you are facing circumstances that may seem impossible. Maybe you're dealing with sickness, financial struggles, or family problems. But let me tell you this: Don't let your circumstances dictate your confession. Let the word of God dictate your confession. I remember one time when I was dealing with a financial challenge. The situation looked bleak, but I didn't allow the circumstances to dictate my speech. I stood on God's word and I declared, "I will not be broke. I will not be defeated. God has provided for me, and I will see his provision manifest in my life." And you know what happened? God made a way where there seemed to be no way. I didn't just talk about the problem. I spoke to the problem and commanded it to line up with God's word.
You see friends, when you speak with confidence, you release faith into the situation, you activate the power of God, and his word will begin to change things. But it starts with your confidence in what God has said. Jesus said in Matthew 21:21-22, "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done in the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." That's a promise, friends. But it's not enough to just say the words. You've got to say them with confidence, believing that God will do exactly what he said he will do.
So today, I want you to make the decision to speak with confidence. Speak to your mountain. Speak to your sickness, to your financial need, to your relationships. Speak with the authority that God has given you and declare that the victory is already yours.
Now friends, I want to talk about something very important. It is something that many believers struggle with: the process of waiting for manifestation. We've discussed the foundation of faith, the power of speaking God's word, standing firm, and speaking with confidence. But now, there's one last crucial piece to understand: waiting for the manifestation of what you've believed and confessed. You see, just because you don't see an immediate result doesn't mean God isn't at work. We have a tendency, especially in our instant gratification world, to want results now. But the truth is, sometimes there is a process that we must go through before the manifestation of our faith appears.
In the book of Daniel, we find a powerful example of this in Daniel 10:12-13 where the angel tells Daniel, "From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days." Notice that the moment Daniel prayed, the answer was given. But there was a delay. The angel was hindered by the prince of Persia, a spiritual force that was trying to stop the answer from coming. That doesn't mean God wasn't listening. He was. In fact, God sent the answer the moment Daniel prayed. But the manifestation of that answer took time.
This is something we all need to understand. Delay is not denial. Just because you don't see the manifestation of your answer right away doesn't mean God hasn't heard your prayer. It doesn't mean you're not in faith. It simply means that the answer is on its way and there may be spiritual forces trying to delay it. But here's the good news, friends. God is always faithful to his word. When he says he'll do something, he will do it. And even if there's a delay, it doesn't mean he's not working on your behalf. The moment you pray, the moment you speak in faith, God begins to move. But you have to hold on and continue standing even when you don't see the results immediately.
Let me tell you, I've been through times when I've had to stand in faith for a long time. I've had moments when I didn't feel any different, when my situation didn't look any different. But I refused to give up. I continued to confess, to stand, and to speak God's word over my life. And I'll tell you friends, I have seen the manifestation of God's promises time and time again.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus tells us, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Notice that Jesus says, "Believe that ye receive them when you pray." The moment you pray in faith, believe that you have received. You don't wait for the manifestation to believe. You believe first. Now, here's the key. When you believe that you've received, you don't just sit back and wait for something to happen. No, you continue to stand on the word. You continue to speak the word, and you continue to act as though the answer's already on its way.
Here's where many people get off course. They get discouraged and frustrated because they don't see immediate results. But you've got to understand that God operates on a different timeline than we do. He is never late and he is never early. He's always right on time. Galatians 6:9 tells us, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." It's important to know that in due season you will reap. That's God's promise to you. And your due season is coming.
Now, I want to say this. If you're standing in faith for something today, I don't want you to quit just because you don't see it yet. Don't quit before the manifestation comes. Keep standing. Keep believing. Keep speaking the word of God. You've already planted the seed of faith. And just like any seed, it will take time to grow and produce fruit. But in due season, your harvest is coming. I know the enemy will try to make you doubt. He'll try to get you to think that it's not working, that you missed it, that God isn't going to come through. But you got to stand your ground and keep confessing. "It's on the way. My victory is coming. The promises of God are manifesting in my life."
Now friends, the moment you stand in faith, the moment you believe God, your answer is already in motion. It's coming to you. So don't give up. Don't grow weary. The harvest is coming. Stand firm. Keep confessing. And soon you'll see the manifestation of what you've believed and declared.
Now friends, we've covered some powerful truths today. And I believe the word of God has spoken to your heart. You've learned how to build your faith on the word, how to speak with authority, how to stand firm in the face of opposition, and how to let the word work in your life. But here's something I want you to get: Let the word work in your life. You see, God's word is alive. It's not just a book of ancient writings. It is a living, breathing force that has the power to change anything and everything in your life.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." The word is alive and active. David has the ability to cut through every doubt, every fear, every sickness, and every problem you face. But here's the key: You got to let the word work. You got to give it permission to work in your life. You got to allow it to be the final authority in everything you do. You can't just read the word. You got to do the word. James 1:22.
It's like medicine. You can have a bottle of medicine sitting on your shelf, but if you don't take it, it won't do you any good. But the moment you take that medicine, it begins to work in your body, bringing health and healing. In the same way, God's word works when you take it, when you apply it to your life. And let me tell you, when you do that, it will change your life in ways you never thought possible.
When I was first learning to walk by faith, there were times when I felt weak in my body. I had symptoms that didn't line up with what the word said. But I began to meditate on healing scriptures, to confess them day and night, and to act on them. I didn't wait until I felt better to declare my healing. I declared, "By his stripes, I am healed." 1 Peter 2:24. And you know what happened? As I spoke the word, it started working in my body. The symptoms began to leave, and strength came back to my body. The word worked because I took it, I applied it, and I let it work.
Friends, this is the key to seeing results. When you speak God's word over your life, over your body, over your finances, over your relationships, you're releasing the power of God to work on your behalf. But you got to act on it. You got to take that word and let it change you from the inside out.
In Mark 5:25-34, we read the story of the woman with the issue of blood. Now, she had been suffering for 12 years. She had tried everything, and nothing worked. But she heard about Jesus and she said to herself, "If I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole." And she did just that. She touched the hem of his garment, and immediately she was healed. What happened? She took action on what she believed. She acted on the word. She let the word work in her life by reaching out and touching Jesus. And when she did, the power of God flowed into her body, and she was healed.
Now, let me ask you, what action are you taking on the word of God today? What scripture are you standing on? Are you just hearing it, or are you letting it work in your life? Are you taking action on what God has said, or are you sitting back waiting for something to change? I want to challenge you today. Take the word and act on it. Don't wait until you feel something. Don't wait until you see the manifestation. Start acting on the word now. Speak it, believe it, and let it work.
You may be facing a situation today where it seems like nothing is changing. But let me tell you friends, the word is working. It is working behind the scenes in the unseen realm. Even when you don't see it with your physical eyes, the moment you speak the word, God's power is set in motion to bring it to pass. Remember Mark 11:24 says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." You've got to believe that you've received it the moment you pray. You don't wait for the manifestation to start believing. You start believing the moment you pray, and then you stand on the word, letting it work.
Let the word work in your life. Let it work in your body, in your mind, in your finances, in your relationships, and in every area of your life. Don't just read it and forget it. Meditate on it. Speak it. Act on it. And let it change your world. The word of God is alive, and it will bring about transformation when you let it work in you.
Well, friends, we've covered a lot of ground today. And I believe the word of God has spoken to your heart. You've learned how to build your faith on the word, how to speak with authority, how to stand firm in the face of opposition, and how to let the word work in your life. But now, I want to close by encouraging you with something that is absolutely vital: making your final confession and declaring that the victory is already yours.
Friends, there is power in what you say. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:10, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Your confession is what releases your faith. And if you've learned to stand on the word of God, now it's time to declare with boldness, "I believe, and I receive." Let me remind you of something. The moment you begin to confess the word of God, you are activating the power of God to work on your behalf. Your confession is the key to unlocking everything God has promised you. This is where the power of faith comes in. When you boldly declare what God has already spoken over you.
I want to take a moment right now to lead you in a powerful confession. We're going to speak the word of God out loud together. Because friends, there's power in agreeing with God's word. You might be sitting there thinking, "I don't see the answer yet." But that doesn't matter. The Bible says that we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Now, I want you to say this with me. Say it with conviction. Say it with faith in your heart, and say it like you believe it, because you do believe it. Say this with me:
"I am a believer. I am not a doubter. I believe God's word and I stand on his promises. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. By his stripes, I am healed. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. My God supplies all my needs according to his riches in glory. I speak to my mountains, and they are removed. I declare victory in every area of my life. I will not quit. I will not give up. I stand firm on God's word. I believe that what I say will come to pass. I am a victor, not a victim. I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony."
Praise God. That's how you speak with confidence, friends. You're declaring who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ, and what you can do in Christ. And when you speak with that kind of confidence, the devil has no choice but to back off and get out of your way.
I want to encourage you today as you go forward to keep standing, keep speaking, and keep confessing the word of God. The moment you take your stand, your victory is already in motion. The devil may try to stop it, but he can't. The word of God will never return void. Isaiah 55:11. What God has promised, he will do.
Let me also remind you that this is not a one-time deal. Every single day, you need to be speaking the word over your life. Don't just speak it when things are tough. Speak it every day. Keep that word in your heart and on your lips, and watch it work.
As we close, I want to pray with you, believing that what you've heard today will take root in your life and bring forth great fruit. Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the power of your word. I thank you that you have given us authority in Christ Jesus to speak your promises and see them come to pass. I pray for each person who has heard this word today. I declare that their faith is growing stronger. That they are standing firm on your word, and that they will see the manifestation of every promise they have claimed. In Jesus' name, I speak victory, healing, provision, peace, and deliverance into their lives. I declare that they will not be moved by circumstances but that they will stand firm, knowing that your word is true and will never fail. Thank you, Lord, for the victory in Jesus' name. Amen.
Now friends, as we close, I want to encourage you to keep standing on the word. Keep speaking the word, and keep believing that what God has said, he will bring to pass. If you've been blessed by this message, I encourage you to share it with someone else who needs to hear it. Let's spread the word of faith everywhere we go, because the more we speak it, the more we'll see it. God bless you, and remember, you are a believer. You are an overcomer, and your victory is in your mouth.